The Productz

The Realization

A knock came on Tommy's door and he said nothing as he looked at the Ortiz envelope analyzing it and not opening it. In walked Melrose with her gray slacks and white blouse looking stunning as always.

"Hey Mel." "Hello Tommy. Let me cut to the chase...what the hell." She said confused sitting on the bed next to Tommy. "Which part?" "All of it Tommy, fighting your brother and lashing out on me and your dad."  "I apologize." "It's appreciated but I didn't come to this campus for an apology. I just want to know why Tommy."

"You don't understand Mel and I'm a man, I don't need a pity party." "A man owns up to what he feels. Look, I know it's a lot going on right now and I didn't come here to be nosy I came here because I know you're hurting Tommy." "Just need to let go. That's all I can say."  "Of?" "What's suppose to be. I know what I gotta do but when all things hit you at once you--" "try to stay afloat." "Exactly." "Knowing what I know about your family history Tommy it's in your roots to bounce back from struggles." Tommy slightly smiled and nodded his head

. "And I'm going to get personal here but you've got to forgive your biological father. You have to start there.." "You don't have to praise him but forgiving all he's done will not repair what he's done but it will heal you."  Tommy let that marinate and shook his head although forgiveness wasn't in his vocabulary when it came to his birth father

. "And talk to your brother. Rio is gone and as close as he is to RJ that bullet was only inches from RJ. Someone out here is regretting not having that last conversation with Rio or mending things with him and now it's too late.  If someone as sweet as Rio can go this soon then we are no exception. Keep that in mind."

Tommy let all of that marinate as he held tears and as him and Melrose hugged. "One more thing...put on your shoes and let's go."
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"Dad I'm sorry about what I said. I was emotional and I was wrong." Tommy said as he approached the house and saw Rome sitting on the porch. "When I seen you tommy I knew what love was, When you were a baby you hugged me when I walked in the house after a long stressful day, me and your mother were imperfect as hell but you were that pure soul that kept us both afloat. You're my first born child Tommy.  no angry thing you say or nothing that you do will ever change the fact that I'm your dad and you are my son."
Tears fell out of tommys eyes. Rome could've left Tommy in the dark but he didn't; he stood by Tommy and raised him as his own showing him the same unconditional love as he did the others. Some people didn't have their fathers but Tommy knew he had his and knew his dad would always love him no matter what.
. Tommy and RJ hadn't spoken to each other directly but were both over it. Tommy felt bad about letting the drama with Indigo prevent him from being there for his brother and caring for Bailey like he should.

Tommy faced RJ. RJ looked at his brother with his bright green eyes just so happy to see Tommy, happy that Tommy was alive and still on earth with him.
", I should've been there for you no matter what and I was too busy tryna save somebody else. I'm so sorry bro, truly, I apologize. I should've been there for my brother while you was hurting." Tommy said. "I ain't even tripping off that no more Bruh life too short."

Tommy and RJ hugged it out. They were close and Nobody could be what Tommy was to RJ. The two brothers would die for each other and take on the whole world for each other. They all continued to talk though Ryann didn't too much speak to Melrose directly.

Tommy got his peace of mind slightly back but something was still heavy on his Mind which he discussed with Rome privately. "The letter said Ortiz huh?" "Yeah....what do you know about him?"

Rome shifted uncomfortably knowing that one day Tommy would get really curious. "I don't know any good things about em son." "How did him and my mom meet? What's the story?"

Rome sighed and told the story of his first love Blaze Kelly not really leaving out anything. He knew Tommy would feel enlightened once he knew the strength and courage of his mother.
"So he kidnapped my moms and she didn't try to leave because she thought everyone was dead?" "Yes. Felt like she had nothing to live for until you were born and she got some encouraging words. That's when she saw the light and she left because she wanted better for you." Tommy's heart warmed thinking of his mother. Despite all she's done the fact that she risk her life for him and ran away for his safety made him love and appreciate her more.

"In what ways was he abusive?" "Physically, verbally.....sexually." Tommy gulped hard shaking his head. "How he treated you I'm unsure of. However, feel how you want to feel about him Tommy not how you think you're suppose to feel." 
Tommy nodded as he took all of this in. "Once you read that letter get back to me." "No disrespect pops but Why?" "Just do. I wanna See where ya mind at when its done."

Before Tommy left he went into RJ's room and hugged him and kissed his forehead. "Love you man." Tommy said so glad that he got the opportunity to hug his brother. "Love you too bro. And man...did I tell you I kicked it with Lauryn?" RJ said smirking. "I gotta hear this." Tommy said sitting on RJ's bed as they spent 45 minutes chopping it up like always.

Tommy went back on campus and knocked on Bailey's door because like always; no matter how bad he dismissed her she was always going to let him in.

She opened the door with a disgusted look on her face and weed coming out of the dorm. It made her self esteem lower to know that Tommy expected her to take him back in like she always Did.
"wassup, new smoking buddy?"
"I just came out here to tell you to leave." "Oh about before? I'm sorry I wasn't in the right--" "you always say that and then you know I'll accept your weak ass apology and let you come do it to me again. I'm done Tommy I won't do this to myself anymore." "Bailey you know everything that happened--" "that doesn't excuse how you treated me! You laid in my bed when all this happened and it wasn't a problem remember!?"

Tommy remembered that and stood silent
. "Bailey I'm sorry."
"Fuck your apology you're suppose to be my friend but you make me feel less of a person. So I don't rock with you. You only fuck with me when it's convenient for you and I'm no longer making myself available so bye."

Tommy saw less and less of Bailey the last few days and even saw her sitting in the cafeteria with that weird Donald dude. Tommy had too much pride to first admit that it affected him but it did. He hated seeing her chilling with him and he missed her. Not smoking with her or laying with her, but he missed Bailey.